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Topic: Picnic Help (Read 3724 times)

Next week we have a zoo outing with the several of the nieces and nephews at the zoo. I offered to bring lunch, snacks, and drinks to avoid the high prices at concessions. I really don't have a clue of what to bring. There is going to be 4 adults and 6 kids(13,12,11,10,7,1). I don't have kids but when I do take the pack out it seems I always have to feed them and these kids can eat.

The little ones will eat everything that is not tied down. The bigger ones are not as adventurous.

First I would check the zoo's rules on bringing in food or drink. I know some zoos don't allow certain types of packaging. I'd aim for things you don't have to keep cold unless you have an easy to carry cooler. For this sort of outing, I would want sandwiches or subs with chips or crackers, some veggie sticks, and fruit. I'd bring lots of water to keep everyone hydrated and maybe some baggies of popcorn - either savory or sweet, or trail mix for an extra snack.

A big bag of pretzelsA big bag of tortilla chipsHummusSalsa and or jar of cheese dip (neither need to be refrigerated until opened and with 10 people, it'll all get eatten)Assorted veggies cut into sticksApples and orangesCrackers/breadPeanut butter (good on crackers/bread, but also tasty on carrot sticks or celery)

Next week we have a zoo outing with the several of the nieces and nephews at the zoo. I offered to bring lunch, snacks, and drinks to avoid the high prices at concessions. I really don't have a clue of what to bring. There is going to be 4 adults and 6 kids(13,12,11,10,7,1). I don't have kids but when I do take the pack out it seems I always have to feed them and these kids can eat.

if you don't want this responsibility, why did you offer? Its not only a lot of cost on you but planning, prep, and bringing it all is a pain. Why not suggest that each kid brings their own food?

Regardless, I'd make up a lot of bread rolls, some with spreads like PB or jam, and some with ham and/or salads.

Next week we have a zoo outing with the several of the nieces and nephews at the zoo. I offered to bring lunch, snacks, and drinks to avoid the high prices at concessions. I really don't have a clue of what to bring. There is going to be 4 adults and 6 kids(13,12,11,10,7,1). I don't have kids but when I do take the pack out it seems I always have to feed them and these kids can eat.

if you don't want this responsibility, why did you offer? Its not only a lot of cost on you but planning, prep, and bringing it all is a pain. Why not suggest that each kid brings their own food?

Regardless, I'd make up a lot of bread rolls, some with spreads like PB or jam, and some with ham and/or salads.

As other's have mentioned, you really do need to check with the park in order to find out whether outside food can be brought in . . . PLUS! even if it is allowed, do you really want to cart a cooler of food around all day long? especially after it's empty?

Since 4 other adults will be going with you, and these children belong to them, I suggest packing 4 (okay, 5 -- one for you, you get the lightest, since you're buying ) back-packs.

1 -- filled with apples/oranges/fruit cups. Maybe some gogurts (I'm not sure if these need to be refrigerated, if so, an insulated lunch bag with an ice pack would work) . . . OH! What about fruit roll-ups?

3 -- filled with bags of pretzels, nuts, raisins, trail mix . . . popcorn is cheap and loved by all! You can make up individual sized bags (small baggie-sized) mix everything together or make separate bags. Pick and choose.

4 -- this will be the heaviest, water bottles and/or juice boxes.

5 -- this can be mixed in with the other 4 bags, but just a suggestion of cookies. I honestly don't think cookies or desert is needed.

*I don't see any need to make any sandwiches other than PB&J's, unless you think plain cheese will hold up without being refrigerated. You do not need to go all gourmet here.

You could also check if they have coat checks/lockers- at most of the zoos I've been to I've been able to leave the cooler bags in a locker and come back for them after. If so I would pack a couple of smaller soft sided coolers rather than a large one.

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Next week we have a zoo outing with the several of the nieces and nephews at the zoo. I offered to bring lunch, snacks, and drinks to avoid the high prices at concessions. I really don't have a clue of what to bring. There is going to be 4 adults and 6 kids(13,12,11,10,7,1). I don't have kids but when I do take the pack out it seems I always have to feed them and these kids can eat.

if you don't want this responsibility, why did you offer? Its not only a lot of cost on you but planning, prep, and bringing it all is a pain. Why not suggest that each kid brings their own food?

Regardless, I'd make up a lot of bread rolls, some with spreads like PB or jam, and some with ham and/or salads.

The zoo encourages people to bring coolers and has a picnic area set up. We will have the baby's wagon. The big cooler with the main lunch stuff can stay in the car. And a smaller cooler with drinks and snacks will fit in the wagon with baby.

The zoo encourages people to bring coolers and has a picnic area set up. We will have the baby's wagon. The big cooler with the main lunch stuff can stay in the car. And a smaller cooler with drinks and snacks will fit in the wagon with baby.

Okay, that changes things up a bit!

For lunch, I like jedikaiti's suggestion of sandwich stuff.

I would go with sandwich rolls instead of loaf-bread, just to dress it up a bit. Kaiser, pretzel, bagel, etc. For 10 people? I'm thinking 15 rolls. The rolls are more filling, so you'll probably go home with extras. But just in case someone wants seconds, better safe than sorry.

Instead of buying meats from the deli, you can bake up some chicken breast and/or a roast (beef, pork or both, depending on the variety you're looking for) then slice it thinly for sandwiches. Whatever you don't bring for the picnic can always be frozen for later use.

A couple of different cheeses, chopped lettuce, sliced tomato (in a hard container so they don't get mushy), mayo, mustard and you're good!

You could also pack a couple of different salads . . . potato, cole slaw, bean . . . you know these kids better than I do. Do they have any preferences? I think one or possibly two choices would suffice (depending on how much room you have in your cooler.)

Or, instead of a salad, how about a veggie assortment? . . . Crudités! (I learned a new word. . . . easily packed in baggies) and a bottle of ranch dressing.

Dessert suggestion -- pack a can of whip cream (the spray kind like Redi-Whip) to serve on a fresh-chopped fruit mixture.

Here's a suggestion (doesn't fit in with the above menu, but maybe good for a late hardy snack for the drive home when kids are hungry and looking for dinner, or something that might fit with a different menu of your choosing . . . just throwing this out there for thought, kids love them!):

I use mini-cocktail-sized smokey links instead of hot dots. They really are good cold.

Drinks: Water.

I suggest the smaller water bottles (6-8 oz size) Sometimes someone (especially kids) only wants a sip or two of something to drink.

Bring a marker so that you can write a name on the bottle then toss it back into the cooler if necessary.

There's quite a variety of single-serving mixes of flavorings that can easily be added to water.

Snacks: This is kind of tough, because all kids don't get hungry for a snack at the same time.

Do you plan on an "It's Snack Time" type of deal where everyone takes a break for snacking? or would you like to have something available whenever someone says "I'm huuuuungry!"

If it's the latter, you can have larger bags of chips/popcorn/trail mix, maybe a bag of cubed cheese, chunks of sausage and crackers . . . whatever your preference, then bring a box of sandwich sized baggies so that you can dole out smaller single-serving sizes.